Electric Gates Question ?

[macabethiel]

Originally Posted by solarman216

If those little boxes have been flooded then likely the motors have suffered damage, sounds like a right load of mumpties installed the system, Rick

When the motors were fitted the bloke told me that the motors would work even when flooded as they were completely sealed with fully waterproof seal on the shaft output !

I know it has taken 4 years for them to fail but you are right the job was done by numpties !!

[macabethiel]

Spent a couple of hours re-laying some pavers but too tired today to dig up the cable connection. Might do it in the morning if weather permits.

[macabethiel]

008 by Ted Bagshaw, on Flickr

To my surprise there are two joints one on each cable one looks like a proper connector the other is the one with a load of red tape around it.

[macabethiel]

After checking the connectors both being quite rusty, have replaced the block connectors but still faulty.
I am defeated waiting for a firm to come out to give quotation / estimate have found three firms and have contacted original fitters as well.

Out of 4 enquiries 1 only has replied so far !

[macabethiel]

Had a thought about one of the wires into the below block connector being rather tarnished when I checked the ends.
One block connector and cables seemed pretty good.
Second one had quite tarnished/oxidised looking wires. Not much spare cable but snipped off at about 1/4" from end and stripped back to make new ends. Have re-connected and they work again!

Gates now working they have passed 8 successive open and closes so am optimistic that I have found the problem will not be 100% certain for a few days but looking good.........

[macabethiel]

suspect connector by Ted Bagshaw, on Flickr

ist block by Ted Bagshaw, on Flickr

Just need to do a proper waterproof connection instead of the temporary block connectors. Might use gel type box.

[macabethiel]

waterproof connector boxes by Ted Bagshaw, on Flickr

Mounted the connectors in water proof boxes this morning. Sealed around wires and connectors with clear silicone sealant. Pretty much filled the boxes with silicone as well after I had check gate working OK. Will leave it 24 hours before I bury them and re-fit the paving blocks.

Hope I never have to take up the joints they will be hard work to pull off the silicone sealant.lol

[jims-terrano]

Never really thought about it before but is that mains going out to the gate motors?

[macabethiel]

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

Never really thought about it before but is that mains going out to the gate motors?

No they are 24 Volts D.C. current is supplied from the control box on start up they draw 15 amps reducing to about 7.5 amps once moving. Frog also make full 230/240 Volt motors for some applications.

P.S. They are still working so pretty confident it was the bad connection on the opening sequence. One cable is for opening the other for closing. The control unit delays the actuation for the second gate to open to avoid it jamming on the gate keep frame.